About Me

I’m just an ordinary guy walking along on this journey called life. I’ve called this column … er, blog Father Says, a play on two facets of my complex life. My comments are always filtered through the lens of Judeo-Christian values and largely based on 40 years of marriage raising five children.

I’m currently owner/publisher of Reveille/Between the Lakes, a weekly newspaper in Seneca County, NY, right smack in the middle of the beautiful Finger Lakes. I’ve worked in the newspaper industry all my life including stops in New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, DC, and now New York. My late wife — my inspiration in life — and I raised five children and currently have 18 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.

Hello! I look forward to really diving into your blog. Also, thank you for following my blog at http://faith1stministries.com I hope it has and will continue to be a major blessing in your life. May God richly bless you as you continue to write and blog. Please continue with us on this journey and remember to have Faith 1st. — Sebastian

Amen. If you can’t walk the walk, you shouldn’t talk the talk. Loved your last post, especially the line, “Good, better, best; never let it rest; until your good is better; and your better is its best.”

Hi,
Many thanks for following my blog. I completely appreciate it! Great blog you have here, really interesting! Wow, it must be amazing to have a family that large, I am envious. Also, in awe of your journalist experience, now that is cool!
All the best, Bex

You are welcome. I like to follow a variety of blogs from around the world … just to hone in my own perspectives. Having a large family has its ups and downs … biggest is not getting to see them all the time since they are scattered around the country. Keep up the good work!
Joe

Thank you for the nomination. I posted this on your comments … I have to echo those procrastinator comments. I am forever putting off things for later … then rediscovering them much, much later and often well after the fact. Thank you for the nomination and the kind words.

Thank you for following my blog at http://poetryjoy.com I really appreciate it! It’s a pleasure to meet you and read about your life and amazing family. They must provide a lot of material to inspire your writing here. As a newly fledged grandma, I can see I have much to learn from people like youI have followed back and look forward to reading your insightful posts. Blessings 🙂

I see you’ve found many of my friends here. I’ve met many wonderful people who challenge and inspire my walk with Jesus.

Thank you for following Lessons by Heart. Writings are sparse at the moment. We’re in a season where much is happening, but nothing I can freely share just yet. (We have a family of 5 and a recently-separated man staying with us until God sorts some things out for them.) At the moment my “ministry” is to love on them. Since the kids here are 8, 5, and 2, that takes a fair amount of time. :

You have a nice writing style…easy to enter into, easy to read. I especially enjoyed the recounting of your faith walk with your wife. It appears that she moved to heaven fairly recently. I am truly sorry for your loss. A spiritual companion is hard to come by. To have had one and then find oneself without must leave an immense hole in your heart.

May the Lord grant a bountiful harvest for your labor here and at home as you shed His love abroad into others’ hearts.

I enjoy “sharing” our journeys. We each have so much to offer each other … be it prayer, encouragement or even, at times, chastisement. I understand about time being at a premium with the little ones. My time is limited because of work but I enjoy sharing my faith through anecdotes of life. Actually handed Karen over to the Lord’s care about five and a half years ago. I know she and the Lord are preparing my arrival. Enjoy the peace of Christ … especially as we celebrate the reason for this season and the foundation of our faith. I hope you get a chance to stop by often and enjoy your visits.

I don’t know how you found. My blog but I am glad. I came over to get acquainted and found myself spending much more time here than I had expected. I will gladly be a follower. Thanks for following me also.hope you will enjoy our journey together.

Thanks to Oneta Hayes, I’ve found your blog! I’m watching my stepdad pass from this life to be with his Eternal Father. I’ve wanted to blog about life and death, but I may just re-blog your post(s) if I can find a re-blog button….What I’ve read so far is so wonderful and encouraging!!!

Yes! Unless you are the one who is a caretaker and you’re leaving her behind!!! They are both believers but have been fighting with God over His decision to do it His way! But my step dad was given a reprieve so he now has a second chance to go with dignity….and maybe my mom will now go first. It’s been so hard on her but she stepped up to the plate and became his caregiver! A sloppy one but she seems healthier and stronger now. Thanks for your reply! I’m with you on how I pray I can exit into the arms of Jesus!

Prayers to you. In the past five years I’ve watched first my beloved spouse and then (on Father’s Day) my father die, and writing is very therapeutic even if you don’t chose to publish it (or publish it right away).

Oh my! Our family can identify! My sister was 52 years h n her husband died from a sudden heart attack – while our dad was dying. Marsha prayed for dad to hang on a while longer …. dad did but he was comotose as cancer was destroying him….maybe I need to write this….but it’s her story from 1999. Now don’t think she’d want to see it….

Joe, enjoyed your thoughts on surrendering life the majestic way. Salivated over sausage and pepper sandwich. 19 years vegetarian after cancer, I have retreated back to a treat like this in recent years on rare occasion. Father Vincent Zuliani at DBT my senior year 1978 would always remind us “Life is a gift from God, do not spoil it. Reap his harvest Today.” Thanks.

Hello Sir,
I dropped by because you kindly followed my blog. Thanks very much for the support of this newbie blogger. I read your 5min exercise on the subject “table”. It was lovely to see you and your family all together. You are indeed a very blessed man. How wonderful to have such a large gathering for a meal and special occasion. I would have left a comment under the exercise but could not see a comment box to do so.
Wishing you God’s continued blessing upon your life and the lives of your loved ones.
Carol

I am so sorry about your wife (my spouse and I had a short thirty years together, beginning as teenagers, and only four children). I look forward to reading more–I always thought I’d be a newspaper writer and am glad there are still real papers out there, and aspire to be able to write more of the sweet than the bitter someday, as you do.